Chapter Twenty-Two: One Perfect Starry Night
A/N: Eeek!! I messed up big time... uploaded the same chappie again! Whoopsies... it's all better now.
I thought long and hard about the title for this chapter, but couldn't really find a good one. So it's okay, I guess, but doesn't really fit the chapter... oh well. It turned out longer than I thought. That's good.
I started soccer again! Back with Simp and Teddy! And Midget... it won't be the same as Meg. Oh well. I still am in a good mood... although I feel as if this chapter is going to be somewhat cheesy.
Ha-ha my teacher pointed out a few days ago, while grading my autobiography chapters, that I use the word 'got' a LOT. I never really noticed that. Got could mean earned, found, collected, received, became, obtained, accepted, acquired, and a whole variety of words. I'm gonna make sure I don't use that too much now.
Well... this chapter is dedicated to my ex best friend Courtney. Ever since she switched schools, she's been completely bratty, but I'd like to thank her for the great friendship we had before. HH rocks, BGMS stinks! Oh, and this is also dedicated to Zach (Laurel's bro). Even though he's *fifteen* now, I still think he's a great friend and has really helped me through things. And Mr. Lyle... the science teacher who's the only one who ever gets my "hypothesis". And a few more people, Christa, Dina (I do feel sorry for you) and someone kind of special to me... you know who you are. ^_^
***
Gordo's POV
I turned the knob. Open, as she said it always was. Good thing to, or else I'd probably camp out in my car for the next few days, waiting for the right moment to get her attention.
It was the day after my twenty-sixth birthday, June 13th. Starting to get to that age when people kind of forget how old they are, and don't really care, or lie about their age and do care. But me, I said twenty-five. Flat out. I wondered what she said. She was never much of a liar. She was really very innocent. You could tell that by looking into her eyes. There was a glimmer in there, always a "who me?" innocence going on.
I tip toed through the apartment, praying I hadn't made any loud noises because Miranda was a light sleeper. Lizzie, on the other hand, could sleep through World War III and the next ice age and still not wake up. I made all the right turns until I finally reached her room.
Man, she really did look like an angel sleeping.
I didn't want to wake her but didn't want to wait any longer either. This surprise visit business was starting to get very annoying. Couldn't I have just called her and said, "Hey, Lizzie, I'm coming to see you again."?
I shrugged mentally and kneeled down beside her bed. I licked my lips and slowly, carefully, gave her a little kiss. She groaned and tossed over.
Okay, so that didn't work.
I tried a different approach.
"GET UP!" I yelled in her ear.
She shuddered and then slowly rose. "Gordo?" She said, semi-consciously. Then she blinked.
"GORDO!"
She threw her arms around me.
I grinned as I embraced her back and pat her hair gently. Four and a half years without one of these heartwarming hugs, without Lizzie always by my side. I had called. I had emailed. I had even sent a few letters. But nothing was the same as having her right there, in my arms, with tears of joy trickling down her face.
"What are you doing here!?" She exclaimed. "I haven't seen you for years!"
"I came to see you." I grinned.
Lizzie kissed me lightly on the cheek and crawled out of her bed. "I gotta go get dressed!" She squealed. "I have to take you to the mall. You will not believe how it's changed. Oh—and the beach! They have a water park there now. And we have to go miniature golfing—for old time's sake."
I smiled.
So far, so good.
***
Lizzie had dragged me everywhere in town, everyplace that had changed since my last visit, even if it was a new pot of marigolds on the porch of the pet shop. And she talked endlessly, about what she had done and how much she missed me. I didn't mind, not at all, as long as I spent time with her, but after five hours of this, I became kind of tired. Thank god she took me to Ocean Spray Park to relax during a late lunch.
"Mmmm... we have watermelon, sandwiches, donuts, Doritos, and of course..." She grinned as she pulled out a bag of french-fries. "Your curly fries."
I nodded as she spread a tablecloth on a picnic table. Although I had gotten much older, I had never lost my taste for curly fries.
"Oh, and Gordo, I didn't get drinks, but there's a water fountain over there." She pointed. "That's another thing they added while you were gone."
I nodded again. I seemed to be doing that a lot today.
"You know what?" She asked, not really listening for an answer as she sat down to eat. "They added a snack machine, too, so if you want, like, Funyons or something..."
"Lizzie, do you ever shut up?" I looked at her thoughtfully.
"What, you prefer Cheetos?" She looked puzzled.
I bust out laughing. "Have—have you realized that... all you've done all day is" I paused a moment to catch my breath. "talk?"
She closed her eyes. "Oh my god, I'm not being a control freak, am I?" She whispered.
I shook my head. "Lizzie McGuire, you are probably the most hyper woman I have ever met."
She giggled and raised her eyebrows as she bit into her sandwich. "So now I'm a "woman"? No longer a "girl"? But aren't only little girls hyper? Or are "women" hyper too?"
"That's not what I meant!" I protested.
"I know."
We ate in silence until Lizzie finally asked.
"Why are you here?"
I froze. Well, I was there for a reason, but that reason was not something Lizzie should've necessarily known about. If she had known... I didn't know what I would do. I'd be humiliated. What was a good excuse? I couldn't take it anymore being so far away from her? I was shooting a movie around there? I was visiting my parents?
"I missed you."
She blinked. "Really?"
I forced my head to shake up and down, furious that I had lied to Lizzie. Well, not really *lied*, but left out a few details...
She scooted closer to me and put her head on my shoulder. "I love you."
I closed my eyes in guilt. I hated this. I couldn't bear it anymore. I had to tell her. I *had* to. I had lied to Lizzie very few times in my life, and they were probably harmless white lies. But this was huge. The guilt was building up inside me, bubbling like a soda bottle being shaken over and over again until the cork finally popped off and the soda flowing out of it, the truth.
But hey, I wasn't really lying.
"Come on, Gordo, you're supposed to kiss me." Lizzie said, scooting so close she was almost on top of me. "All these years have really put a dent in your romantic-ness."
I smiled halfheartedly and kissed her gently.
"Oh, come on!" She scoffed. "That was like kissing my brother."
I scrunched up my eyes. How dare she call me a bad kisser!
I touched her cheek and kissed her harder this time.
"You can't do any better?" She pouted, making puppy-dog eyes at me. "Chicken..."
My mouth dropped open and I kissed her passionately, putting all the power I had into it.
She shrugged sadly. "No sparks. I think you've lost your touch, Gordo."
I kissed harder.
She shook her head.
And harder.
She made a face.
And harder.
She frowned.
Soon, I was kissing her like who-knows-what, and then finally she pushed me away, laughing like crazy.
"I can't believe you fell for that!" She giggled.
"For what?" I tried to catch my breath a Lizzie exploded. God, that last one had required a lot of air.
"Gordo, I never though you kissed like my brother."
Then it struck me.
I punched her in the shoulder as I blushed madly, embarrassed at what I had fallen for. "You're mean."
"I know. That's why you love me."
***
I paced my hotel floor the next morning.
When should I tell her? Afternoon? Night? Morning? On a date? On the phone? Today? Tomorrow? Next week? Should I be quick and blunt? Or should I break it to her slowly? Formal? Casual?
I felt like a teenage girl preparing her clothes and accessories for a prom when her biggest problem is getting a date. Only a little more apprehensive. And tense. And stressed. I was fidgeting endlessly.
I had to say this to her, even if she slapped me or started crying or whatever. I didn't care. She had to know. But still, I had to think...it wasn't fair. Why couldn't she have this problem? It was always me. Always the guy, the low-key boyfriend.
The Fourth of July was coming up. Maybe I could tell her during the fireworks. Then if she didn't hear me, it wasn't my fault. At least I tried to tell her, you know...
I slammed my head against the wall.
'Stupid Gordo. You want her to hear you.' I grumbled in disgust of myself. 'Right?'
Fortunately, I didn't have to answer that. My cellphone rang.
"Hello?"
"Dave, it's Clay. Universal just thought of a brilliant plot and they're offering it to us. Budget's 28." My manager/agent/consultant Clayton Warren said, sounding excited.
"When do you need me?" I asked, knowing that Clayton had already told Universal yes about the movie. He did that a lot.
"Well, as soon as possible. No later than Wednesday evening, I'd say."
"Wednesday!?" My eyes bulged. "Clay, it's Monday!"
"Where are you, anyway?"
"Hillridge. I've have some very important news to break to someone." I said, making it sound like it was a business thing.
"Elizabeth, huh?"
He knew me too well.
I sighed.
"Well, hurry up... but good luck."
"Yeah, I need it."
I turned off my cellphone and flopped onto my bed.
43 hours and counting.
***
Lizzie's POV
"...and it feels like he's hiding something. Every time I asked him why he was here, he gave some lame excuse like he missed me or something. I know I should trust him by now, but I think that maybe he's with someone else." I explained to Miranda as I painted a messy picture.
It was all true. It seemed as if Gordo was not telling me something really important. But then again, Gordo could be mysterious at times. And he *did* like to use pick-up lines. So maybe he was being normal... for him. Not the same as he was before, but the same as he was as a famous director. Only I didn't know that "David Gordon"; I was too hung up on the old Gordo.
That did not make any sense whatsoever.
Gordo hadn't changed. He was the same. It was me. Ever since that one misunderstanding between me and him, I had become a little keener, a little more attentive to the world around me. Paranoid, kind of. Everything even the least bit mysterious seemed as if it was a huge crime. So maybe this was my imagination working overtime, or maybe Gordo really had a secret.
I hoped I was wrong.
"No. He can't be." Miranda said, screwing the cap of pink nail polish back onto the bottle. "He loves you more than God himself."
"How do we know that, Miranda!?" I exclaimed, splashing more paint onto the canvas. "Lots of guys are really good con-artists. They can trick a girl into believing that so easily! And you're gonna say this is different, but it might not be! That's what every girl thinks before she gets pregnant and the guy runs off."
Miranda's mouth dropped. "Are you accusing Gordo of tricking you?"
I stopped to think. No, not accusing. Just suspecting. It could be true... so I had to be aware at all times. Anything was possible. And this would definitely be an excellent explanation of why he was acing so weird.
"No... I'm just... considering all the possibilities." I said, frowning at the way I had worded that.
"You've known him since you were born! Are you saying that he's been scamming against you ever since then?" She asked. "Look, he loved you like his own sister, and now he loves you as a girlfriend. He's not a bad person. He's completely innocent!"
I shrugged. It *was* pretty hard to imagine Gordo as a jerk. But I was just making sure. Better safe than sorry.
"I do love him." I admitted timidly, stroking a black line carefully with the brush. "A lot."
"Have you ever thought of marriage?" She suddenly asked. "With Gordo, I mean." I thought about it for a second. "Well, I've thought about it... but I haven't really... given it much thought, you know? It would be kind of nice... and I've always wanted to get married around this age... and... I don't know."
"Well, do you love him enough to marry him?"
I pondered over that for a while, and finally responded. "Maybe."
"He can't possibly be using you." She announced. "Not if you're thinking about marriage."
"Just because I am doesn't mean he is."
"Doesn't mean he's *not*." Miranda pointed out. "And anyway, this is *Gordo* we're talking about. Own very own Gordo. He wouldn't do something like that."
"I guess."
***
Gordo's POV
I sat in my pajamas (although it was only seven) as I typed a new idea for a screenplay. Usually I didn't write screenplays, I had someone else do them, but once in a while I would write something. I seemed to write best under stress, surprisingly. But the weird thing was that the story never had to relate to what I was so strained about. This time the story was a comedy film, the complete opposite of what I felt like right then.
I needed coffee.
I ordered some from room service and sat down to think. Not necessarily about the screenplay, but about telling Lizzie. I didn't have to think much before I grabbed my cellphone and punched in Lizzie's number.
"Hello?" It was Miranda.
"Hey, it's Gordo... I need to talk to..."
Miranda giggled. "We were just talking about you. Here, I'll give it to Lizzie." I heard a few muffled sounds, and then Lizzie was on the phone.
"Hi." She said, almost bashfully.
"Look, I really need to talk to you." I said, taking a deep breath.
"Oh." She whispered, and I could almost see her face turning pale and all the blood draining from her face with panic and despair. What was so scary about this? "Is it bad?"
"No." I assured her. "But... just... meet me at Gemstone Hill, please? As soon as you can?"
"Well... okay."
I hung up the phone and started what my mother called 'male grooming'. I took a shower, shaved, combed my hair, brushed my teeth, put some cologne on, and so forth. I had to look pretty good for this. I thought about slicking my hair back, but realized that was going a little too far.
My teeth chattered as I drove to the park. Would anyone believe that? Me, David Gordon, big-shot director, a teeth-chattering, knee-knocking, scared- to-death, knuckle-cracking loser? No one would believe it. But really, just the name Lizzie sent chills down my spine and a gulp down my throat.
I parked my car and started walking, surprised that the ten-minute-drive seemed to take only seconds. Left, right, straight, around the corner, and there it was... Gemstone Hill. I didn't see anyone up there and decided that could be a good thing. Being punctual... it gave me more time to be prepared. I hiked up the hill, making sure all that was left in my head were positive thoughts, only positive thoughts.
POSITIVE.
I waited for about five minutes to catch my breath and gather myself together. Then as if on cue, Lizzie approached in a beautifully sewn sundress that streamed all the way down to the ground, trailing behind her. She looked so... majestic, with her hoop earrings and the salt-sprinkled sky with stars twinkling like little Christmas lights brightening it up. Behind her, I noticed, was a meadow of flowers, all exposed to the moonlight, soaking the light all in. One of the flowers was tucked behind her ear where all of her hair flowed down her shoulders.
Okay, so maybe she was in jeans and a sweatshirt, but that was a pretty good picture. And she still looked majestic, even with her hair in a messy bun and her jeans ripped from the knees.
"Yeah?" She asked, almost blankly. "You wanted to meet me here...?"
I smiled. "Well, first off I have to tell you that you look wonderful tonight." I said, still in my little fantasy.
Lizzie looked down a little and I could tell she was blushing as she undid her hair and let it low over her shoulders, just like in my dream. "Sorry, I was working on something but it sounded kind of urgent... I didn't have time to change."
"Don't worry, I like you natural." I chuckled as I stepped a little closer to her.
"So what's this all about?"
I clammed up. "About?" I asked, as if it were some foreign language. "It's about... about..."
"You want to break up, don't you?" She whispered.
"Yes... I mean no! I mean... we're not breaking up." I said, hoping she had understood that.
"Then what?"
'Be to-the-point,' I thought. If I blew this... only God knows what would happen.
Lizzie looked at me with a concerned face.
"Are you ready for commitment?" I asked all of a sudden, not really sure where this was going.
"Commitment on what?"
"Our rela—our... our... us." I stumbled. "*Us*."
"Us? A commitment on us? What is that supposed to mean?" She said, confused.
I sighed. "God, Lizzie, you are really slow sometimes. So, I guess... I'll be frank with you."
I took a deep breath. I was ready. Ready to ask her, ready to tell her. All prepared. This one moment. It's all that mattered. There had to be no flaw in my speech, not a single defect in my presence. I had to be charismatic, carefree, calm. I was completely ready.
'Oh, heck, just get on with it, Gordon!'
"Ever... ever since I was little, I kind of adored you. A strong admiration, I guess. Or addiction. I can never get my words straight. And as we got older, I started to... um... appreciate you being there for me. As a best friend... until... you know... and then I just kind of fell in love. Head over heels. I—I couldn't help it. And that wasn't *love*... just like... a strong version of like. And it got stronger until I kind of... man, I'm really bad at making speeches... um... realized that I loved you. Just recently. And I'd give anything for your happiness." I said, my teeth chattering the whole time.
"That's—that's so sweet!" Lizzie exclaimed, and wrapped her arms around me, leaning in for a kiss. "I'm not sure if I love *love* you yet... but..." She trailed off mysteriously.
I pushed her face away, but she didn't let go of me. "Wait..." I whispered directly into her ear. "I'm not done."
She nodded and let go of my waist so we were just holding hands. "Go on."
"Okay, and I know you've probably seen this a hundred times on TV and in the movies, and I honestly wanted an original way to do it, but..."
I crouched down on one knee and she gasped. "You're not—"
"Yeah." I said, taking out a ring from my pocket. "Elizabeth McGuire, will you marry me?"
***
Lizzie's POV
I almost fainted. He had asked me... ME... to marry him. Why me, boring Elizabeth Brooke aka Lizzie? Why not some super-skinny model from one of his movies? That always happened. It was always in the Hollywood gossip... some director falling madly in love with one of his actresses. I thought that was his destiny. Not me.
And the question of marriage was just so confusing. Sure, Miranda and I had discussed it... for a mere minute or two. But something as big as this... it required a long, hard thinking. Weeks. Months. I was ready for commitment. Independence. Togetherness. Real adulthood. Children... maybe? And being in charge of an entire household... suddenly I felt like I was eight years old. I was so scared. Cleaning, dusting, cooking, basic parenthood. Was I ready?
Was Gordo?
I mean, I knew for a hundred percent that Gordo, with his big career and all, might not be around much. And that would hurt. Distance was always hurtful; I had experienced that over the last, what five years? I was only twenty-five... twenty-six in five days. Was I really ready for a lifetime commitment? I had my whole life left to enjoy. Maybe I could enjoy it better with Gordo by my side.
Now that was a thought.
But I didn't think all of this, nor did I care, until much later. I was too swept up in the magic of the moment. So, before any thinking, I whispered oh-so-dreamily, "Yes."
Now Gordo, being Gordo and all, asked me if I was sure, because this meant al lot of hardships. And I said sure, as long as we were in it together. He smiled and kissed me lightly. Before I knew it, he slipped a perfectly crafted diamond ring onto my hand.
"You think you can buy my affection with a rock?" I joked.
"Hey, this was one expensive 'rock'." Gordo smiled as a few fireflies started to flicker on and off.
"I can see that." I admired the ring. It was beautiful, with one big diamond in the middle and smaller ones circled around it, all on a gold band that fit perfectly onto my ring finger. "It's amazingly beautiful."
He grinned. "I won't say anything cheesy to ruin the moment."
"Go ahead and say it. Get it out of your system."
"I had to find the most beautiful, most perfect ring to fit the most beautiful, most perfect woman." He said, winking at me.
"I love it when you get all tacky on me." I said, fastening my arms around his neck. "So just kiss me, will you?"
He obeyed quite obediently. Evidently, he was waiting for that kiss ever since he was born. Too tremendous for words, I'd say. Just me and him, kissing like Romeo and Juliet on top of Gemstone Hill, completely absorbed into the other, as the flowers swayed in the light breeze, the leaves rustled in the wind, and the fireflies glimmered.
That day, June 14th, 2014, was probably the most memorable, most magical, and most miraculous night ever, ever recorded in my life. Everything was just right, me and him, he and I, Gordo and Lizzie, forever and ever. Perfect, all of it. Perfectly perfect.
Just plain perfect.
A/N: I left out all the stuff about them breaking it to their parents and all because it seemed ideal to leave it off right here. Two more chapters to go! Review please... it boots my ego, not to mention hurries my chappies! Btw, this chapter was revised so much... I'm tired... I still have to write a little more in Dakota Sunshine though... ~_~
xoxo,
PersonY2K
A/N: Eeek!! I messed up big time... uploaded the same chappie again! Whoopsies... it's all better now.
I thought long and hard about the title for this chapter, but couldn't really find a good one. So it's okay, I guess, but doesn't really fit the chapter... oh well. It turned out longer than I thought. That's good.
I started soccer again! Back with Simp and Teddy! And Midget... it won't be the same as Meg. Oh well. I still am in a good mood... although I feel as if this chapter is going to be somewhat cheesy.
Ha-ha my teacher pointed out a few days ago, while grading my autobiography chapters, that I use the word 'got' a LOT. I never really noticed that. Got could mean earned, found, collected, received, became, obtained, accepted, acquired, and a whole variety of words. I'm gonna make sure I don't use that too much now.
Well... this chapter is dedicated to my ex best friend Courtney. Ever since she switched schools, she's been completely bratty, but I'd like to thank her for the great friendship we had before. HH rocks, BGMS stinks! Oh, and this is also dedicated to Zach (Laurel's bro). Even though he's *fifteen* now, I still think he's a great friend and has really helped me through things. And Mr. Lyle... the science teacher who's the only one who ever gets my "hypothesis". And a few more people, Christa, Dina (I do feel sorry for you) and someone kind of special to me... you know who you are. ^_^
***
Gordo's POV
I turned the knob. Open, as she said it always was. Good thing to, or else I'd probably camp out in my car for the next few days, waiting for the right moment to get her attention.
It was the day after my twenty-sixth birthday, June 13th. Starting to get to that age when people kind of forget how old they are, and don't really care, or lie about their age and do care. But me, I said twenty-five. Flat out. I wondered what she said. She was never much of a liar. She was really very innocent. You could tell that by looking into her eyes. There was a glimmer in there, always a "who me?" innocence going on.
I tip toed through the apartment, praying I hadn't made any loud noises because Miranda was a light sleeper. Lizzie, on the other hand, could sleep through World War III and the next ice age and still not wake up. I made all the right turns until I finally reached her room.
Man, she really did look like an angel sleeping.
I didn't want to wake her but didn't want to wait any longer either. This surprise visit business was starting to get very annoying. Couldn't I have just called her and said, "Hey, Lizzie, I'm coming to see you again."?
I shrugged mentally and kneeled down beside her bed. I licked my lips and slowly, carefully, gave her a little kiss. She groaned and tossed over.
Okay, so that didn't work.
I tried a different approach.
"GET UP!" I yelled in her ear.
She shuddered and then slowly rose. "Gordo?" She said, semi-consciously. Then she blinked.
"GORDO!"
She threw her arms around me.
I grinned as I embraced her back and pat her hair gently. Four and a half years without one of these heartwarming hugs, without Lizzie always by my side. I had called. I had emailed. I had even sent a few letters. But nothing was the same as having her right there, in my arms, with tears of joy trickling down her face.
"What are you doing here!?" She exclaimed. "I haven't seen you for years!"
"I came to see you." I grinned.
Lizzie kissed me lightly on the cheek and crawled out of her bed. "I gotta go get dressed!" She squealed. "I have to take you to the mall. You will not believe how it's changed. Oh—and the beach! They have a water park there now. And we have to go miniature golfing—for old time's sake."
I smiled.
So far, so good.
***
Lizzie had dragged me everywhere in town, everyplace that had changed since my last visit, even if it was a new pot of marigolds on the porch of the pet shop. And she talked endlessly, about what she had done and how much she missed me. I didn't mind, not at all, as long as I spent time with her, but after five hours of this, I became kind of tired. Thank god she took me to Ocean Spray Park to relax during a late lunch.
"Mmmm... we have watermelon, sandwiches, donuts, Doritos, and of course..." She grinned as she pulled out a bag of french-fries. "Your curly fries."
I nodded as she spread a tablecloth on a picnic table. Although I had gotten much older, I had never lost my taste for curly fries.
"Oh, and Gordo, I didn't get drinks, but there's a water fountain over there." She pointed. "That's another thing they added while you were gone."
I nodded again. I seemed to be doing that a lot today.
"You know what?" She asked, not really listening for an answer as she sat down to eat. "They added a snack machine, too, so if you want, like, Funyons or something..."
"Lizzie, do you ever shut up?" I looked at her thoughtfully.
"What, you prefer Cheetos?" She looked puzzled.
I bust out laughing. "Have—have you realized that... all you've done all day is" I paused a moment to catch my breath. "talk?"
She closed her eyes. "Oh my god, I'm not being a control freak, am I?" She whispered.
I shook my head. "Lizzie McGuire, you are probably the most hyper woman I have ever met."
She giggled and raised her eyebrows as she bit into her sandwich. "So now I'm a "woman"? No longer a "girl"? But aren't only little girls hyper? Or are "women" hyper too?"
"That's not what I meant!" I protested.
"I know."
We ate in silence until Lizzie finally asked.
"Why are you here?"
I froze. Well, I was there for a reason, but that reason was not something Lizzie should've necessarily known about. If she had known... I didn't know what I would do. I'd be humiliated. What was a good excuse? I couldn't take it anymore being so far away from her? I was shooting a movie around there? I was visiting my parents?
"I missed you."
She blinked. "Really?"
I forced my head to shake up and down, furious that I had lied to Lizzie. Well, not really *lied*, but left out a few details...
She scooted closer to me and put her head on my shoulder. "I love you."
I closed my eyes in guilt. I hated this. I couldn't bear it anymore. I had to tell her. I *had* to. I had lied to Lizzie very few times in my life, and they were probably harmless white lies. But this was huge. The guilt was building up inside me, bubbling like a soda bottle being shaken over and over again until the cork finally popped off and the soda flowing out of it, the truth.
But hey, I wasn't really lying.
"Come on, Gordo, you're supposed to kiss me." Lizzie said, scooting so close she was almost on top of me. "All these years have really put a dent in your romantic-ness."
I smiled halfheartedly and kissed her gently.
"Oh, come on!" She scoffed. "That was like kissing my brother."
I scrunched up my eyes. How dare she call me a bad kisser!
I touched her cheek and kissed her harder this time.
"You can't do any better?" She pouted, making puppy-dog eyes at me. "Chicken..."
My mouth dropped open and I kissed her passionately, putting all the power I had into it.
She shrugged sadly. "No sparks. I think you've lost your touch, Gordo."
I kissed harder.
She shook her head.
And harder.
She made a face.
And harder.
She frowned.
Soon, I was kissing her like who-knows-what, and then finally she pushed me away, laughing like crazy.
"I can't believe you fell for that!" She giggled.
"For what?" I tried to catch my breath a Lizzie exploded. God, that last one had required a lot of air.
"Gordo, I never though you kissed like my brother."
Then it struck me.
I punched her in the shoulder as I blushed madly, embarrassed at what I had fallen for. "You're mean."
"I know. That's why you love me."
***
I paced my hotel floor the next morning.
When should I tell her? Afternoon? Night? Morning? On a date? On the phone? Today? Tomorrow? Next week? Should I be quick and blunt? Or should I break it to her slowly? Formal? Casual?
I felt like a teenage girl preparing her clothes and accessories for a prom when her biggest problem is getting a date. Only a little more apprehensive. And tense. And stressed. I was fidgeting endlessly.
I had to say this to her, even if she slapped me or started crying or whatever. I didn't care. She had to know. But still, I had to think...it wasn't fair. Why couldn't she have this problem? It was always me. Always the guy, the low-key boyfriend.
The Fourth of July was coming up. Maybe I could tell her during the fireworks. Then if she didn't hear me, it wasn't my fault. At least I tried to tell her, you know...
I slammed my head against the wall.
'Stupid Gordo. You want her to hear you.' I grumbled in disgust of myself. 'Right?'
Fortunately, I didn't have to answer that. My cellphone rang.
"Hello?"
"Dave, it's Clay. Universal just thought of a brilliant plot and they're offering it to us. Budget's 28." My manager/agent/consultant Clayton Warren said, sounding excited.
"When do you need me?" I asked, knowing that Clayton had already told Universal yes about the movie. He did that a lot.
"Well, as soon as possible. No later than Wednesday evening, I'd say."
"Wednesday!?" My eyes bulged. "Clay, it's Monday!"
"Where are you, anyway?"
"Hillridge. I've have some very important news to break to someone." I said, making it sound like it was a business thing.
"Elizabeth, huh?"
He knew me too well.
I sighed.
"Well, hurry up... but good luck."
"Yeah, I need it."
I turned off my cellphone and flopped onto my bed.
43 hours and counting.
***
Lizzie's POV
"...and it feels like he's hiding something. Every time I asked him why he was here, he gave some lame excuse like he missed me or something. I know I should trust him by now, but I think that maybe he's with someone else." I explained to Miranda as I painted a messy picture.
It was all true. It seemed as if Gordo was not telling me something really important. But then again, Gordo could be mysterious at times. And he *did* like to use pick-up lines. So maybe he was being normal... for him. Not the same as he was before, but the same as he was as a famous director. Only I didn't know that "David Gordon"; I was too hung up on the old Gordo.
That did not make any sense whatsoever.
Gordo hadn't changed. He was the same. It was me. Ever since that one misunderstanding between me and him, I had become a little keener, a little more attentive to the world around me. Paranoid, kind of. Everything even the least bit mysterious seemed as if it was a huge crime. So maybe this was my imagination working overtime, or maybe Gordo really had a secret.
I hoped I was wrong.
"No. He can't be." Miranda said, screwing the cap of pink nail polish back onto the bottle. "He loves you more than God himself."
"How do we know that, Miranda!?" I exclaimed, splashing more paint onto the canvas. "Lots of guys are really good con-artists. They can trick a girl into believing that so easily! And you're gonna say this is different, but it might not be! That's what every girl thinks before she gets pregnant and the guy runs off."
Miranda's mouth dropped. "Are you accusing Gordo of tricking you?"
I stopped to think. No, not accusing. Just suspecting. It could be true... so I had to be aware at all times. Anything was possible. And this would definitely be an excellent explanation of why he was acing so weird.
"No... I'm just... considering all the possibilities." I said, frowning at the way I had worded that.
"You've known him since you were born! Are you saying that he's been scamming against you ever since then?" She asked. "Look, he loved you like his own sister, and now he loves you as a girlfriend. He's not a bad person. He's completely innocent!"
I shrugged. It *was* pretty hard to imagine Gordo as a jerk. But I was just making sure. Better safe than sorry.
"I do love him." I admitted timidly, stroking a black line carefully with the brush. "A lot."
"Have you ever thought of marriage?" She suddenly asked. "With Gordo, I mean." I thought about it for a second. "Well, I've thought about it... but I haven't really... given it much thought, you know? It would be kind of nice... and I've always wanted to get married around this age... and... I don't know."
"Well, do you love him enough to marry him?"
I pondered over that for a while, and finally responded. "Maybe."
"He can't possibly be using you." She announced. "Not if you're thinking about marriage."
"Just because I am doesn't mean he is."
"Doesn't mean he's *not*." Miranda pointed out. "And anyway, this is *Gordo* we're talking about. Own very own Gordo. He wouldn't do something like that."
"I guess."
***
Gordo's POV
I sat in my pajamas (although it was only seven) as I typed a new idea for a screenplay. Usually I didn't write screenplays, I had someone else do them, but once in a while I would write something. I seemed to write best under stress, surprisingly. But the weird thing was that the story never had to relate to what I was so strained about. This time the story was a comedy film, the complete opposite of what I felt like right then.
I needed coffee.
I ordered some from room service and sat down to think. Not necessarily about the screenplay, but about telling Lizzie. I didn't have to think much before I grabbed my cellphone and punched in Lizzie's number.
"Hello?" It was Miranda.
"Hey, it's Gordo... I need to talk to..."
Miranda giggled. "We were just talking about you. Here, I'll give it to Lizzie." I heard a few muffled sounds, and then Lizzie was on the phone.
"Hi." She said, almost bashfully.
"Look, I really need to talk to you." I said, taking a deep breath.
"Oh." She whispered, and I could almost see her face turning pale and all the blood draining from her face with panic and despair. What was so scary about this? "Is it bad?"
"No." I assured her. "But... just... meet me at Gemstone Hill, please? As soon as you can?"
"Well... okay."
I hung up the phone and started what my mother called 'male grooming'. I took a shower, shaved, combed my hair, brushed my teeth, put some cologne on, and so forth. I had to look pretty good for this. I thought about slicking my hair back, but realized that was going a little too far.
My teeth chattered as I drove to the park. Would anyone believe that? Me, David Gordon, big-shot director, a teeth-chattering, knee-knocking, scared- to-death, knuckle-cracking loser? No one would believe it. But really, just the name Lizzie sent chills down my spine and a gulp down my throat.
I parked my car and started walking, surprised that the ten-minute-drive seemed to take only seconds. Left, right, straight, around the corner, and there it was... Gemstone Hill. I didn't see anyone up there and decided that could be a good thing. Being punctual... it gave me more time to be prepared. I hiked up the hill, making sure all that was left in my head were positive thoughts, only positive thoughts.
POSITIVE.
I waited for about five minutes to catch my breath and gather myself together. Then as if on cue, Lizzie approached in a beautifully sewn sundress that streamed all the way down to the ground, trailing behind her. She looked so... majestic, with her hoop earrings and the salt-sprinkled sky with stars twinkling like little Christmas lights brightening it up. Behind her, I noticed, was a meadow of flowers, all exposed to the moonlight, soaking the light all in. One of the flowers was tucked behind her ear where all of her hair flowed down her shoulders.
Okay, so maybe she was in jeans and a sweatshirt, but that was a pretty good picture. And she still looked majestic, even with her hair in a messy bun and her jeans ripped from the knees.
"Yeah?" She asked, almost blankly. "You wanted to meet me here...?"
I smiled. "Well, first off I have to tell you that you look wonderful tonight." I said, still in my little fantasy.
Lizzie looked down a little and I could tell she was blushing as she undid her hair and let it low over her shoulders, just like in my dream. "Sorry, I was working on something but it sounded kind of urgent... I didn't have time to change."
"Don't worry, I like you natural." I chuckled as I stepped a little closer to her.
"So what's this all about?"
I clammed up. "About?" I asked, as if it were some foreign language. "It's about... about..."
"You want to break up, don't you?" She whispered.
"Yes... I mean no! I mean... we're not breaking up." I said, hoping she had understood that.
"Then what?"
'Be to-the-point,' I thought. If I blew this... only God knows what would happen.
Lizzie looked at me with a concerned face.
"Are you ready for commitment?" I asked all of a sudden, not really sure where this was going.
"Commitment on what?"
"Our rela—our... our... us." I stumbled. "*Us*."
"Us? A commitment on us? What is that supposed to mean?" She said, confused.
I sighed. "God, Lizzie, you are really slow sometimes. So, I guess... I'll be frank with you."
I took a deep breath. I was ready. Ready to ask her, ready to tell her. All prepared. This one moment. It's all that mattered. There had to be no flaw in my speech, not a single defect in my presence. I had to be charismatic, carefree, calm. I was completely ready.
'Oh, heck, just get on with it, Gordon!'
"Ever... ever since I was little, I kind of adored you. A strong admiration, I guess. Or addiction. I can never get my words straight. And as we got older, I started to... um... appreciate you being there for me. As a best friend... until... you know... and then I just kind of fell in love. Head over heels. I—I couldn't help it. And that wasn't *love*... just like... a strong version of like. And it got stronger until I kind of... man, I'm really bad at making speeches... um... realized that I loved you. Just recently. And I'd give anything for your happiness." I said, my teeth chattering the whole time.
"That's—that's so sweet!" Lizzie exclaimed, and wrapped her arms around me, leaning in for a kiss. "I'm not sure if I love *love* you yet... but..." She trailed off mysteriously.
I pushed her face away, but she didn't let go of me. "Wait..." I whispered directly into her ear. "I'm not done."
She nodded and let go of my waist so we were just holding hands. "Go on."
"Okay, and I know you've probably seen this a hundred times on TV and in the movies, and I honestly wanted an original way to do it, but..."
I crouched down on one knee and she gasped. "You're not—"
"Yeah." I said, taking out a ring from my pocket. "Elizabeth McGuire, will you marry me?"
***
Lizzie's POV
I almost fainted. He had asked me... ME... to marry him. Why me, boring Elizabeth Brooke aka Lizzie? Why not some super-skinny model from one of his movies? That always happened. It was always in the Hollywood gossip... some director falling madly in love with one of his actresses. I thought that was his destiny. Not me.
And the question of marriage was just so confusing. Sure, Miranda and I had discussed it... for a mere minute or two. But something as big as this... it required a long, hard thinking. Weeks. Months. I was ready for commitment. Independence. Togetherness. Real adulthood. Children... maybe? And being in charge of an entire household... suddenly I felt like I was eight years old. I was so scared. Cleaning, dusting, cooking, basic parenthood. Was I ready?
Was Gordo?
I mean, I knew for a hundred percent that Gordo, with his big career and all, might not be around much. And that would hurt. Distance was always hurtful; I had experienced that over the last, what five years? I was only twenty-five... twenty-six in five days. Was I really ready for a lifetime commitment? I had my whole life left to enjoy. Maybe I could enjoy it better with Gordo by my side.
Now that was a thought.
But I didn't think all of this, nor did I care, until much later. I was too swept up in the magic of the moment. So, before any thinking, I whispered oh-so-dreamily, "Yes."
Now Gordo, being Gordo and all, asked me if I was sure, because this meant al lot of hardships. And I said sure, as long as we were in it together. He smiled and kissed me lightly. Before I knew it, he slipped a perfectly crafted diamond ring onto my hand.
"You think you can buy my affection with a rock?" I joked.
"Hey, this was one expensive 'rock'." Gordo smiled as a few fireflies started to flicker on and off.
"I can see that." I admired the ring. It was beautiful, with one big diamond in the middle and smaller ones circled around it, all on a gold band that fit perfectly onto my ring finger. "It's amazingly beautiful."
He grinned. "I won't say anything cheesy to ruin the moment."
"Go ahead and say it. Get it out of your system."
"I had to find the most beautiful, most perfect ring to fit the most beautiful, most perfect woman." He said, winking at me.
"I love it when you get all tacky on me." I said, fastening my arms around his neck. "So just kiss me, will you?"
He obeyed quite obediently. Evidently, he was waiting for that kiss ever since he was born. Too tremendous for words, I'd say. Just me and him, kissing like Romeo and Juliet on top of Gemstone Hill, completely absorbed into the other, as the flowers swayed in the light breeze, the leaves rustled in the wind, and the fireflies glimmered.
That day, June 14th, 2014, was probably the most memorable, most magical, and most miraculous night ever, ever recorded in my life. Everything was just right, me and him, he and I, Gordo and Lizzie, forever and ever. Perfect, all of it. Perfectly perfect.
Just plain perfect.
A/N: I left out all the stuff about them breaking it to their parents and all because it seemed ideal to leave it off right here. Two more chapters to go! Review please... it boots my ego, not to mention hurries my chappies! Btw, this chapter was revised so much... I'm tired... I still have to write a little more in Dakota Sunshine though... ~_~
xoxo,
PersonY2K